Met Police appeal for further victims of calculated sex offender Chao Xu

A man has today (Friday, 29 August) been convicted following a Metropolitan Police Service investigation into multiple serious sexual assaults.

Chao Xu, 33, (18.02.92), a Chinese national, of Glaisher Street, Greenwich, London pleaded guilty at Woolwich Crown Court on Friday, 29 August to 24 counts relating to six women, including rape, digital penetration, sexual assault, administering a substance with intent, and voyeurism.

Detectives believe Xu’s offending is more widespread, went on for a number of years, and are appealing for more witnesses and victims-survivors to come forward.

An investigation was launched by Met Police detectives who used statements bravely provided by victim-survivors and trawled his digital devices to uncover the full extent of his offending.

The first report to police in June followed a networking event Xu held at one of his home addresses in Greenwich where one of the women in attendance became unwell.

He offered for the woman to stay in his flat to recover, where he proceeded to rape her multiple times. It was discovered by officers that he had administered drugs to the woman which are known to cause drowsiness and incapacitation.

During the investigation, Xu was also found to have hidden camera devices in multiple locations, including inside of an air freshener, bathrooms, and had hundreds of intimate images and videos of women on his phone which officers believed were obtained without their consent.

While detectives are still going through the thousands of images and content on Xu’s devices, they believe the scale of his offending could be even bigger and are making a direct appeal for any victim-survivors who have not yet been identified to come forward and seek specialist support.

Detective Chief Inspector Lewis Sanderson, who is leading the investigation, said:

“Xu is a calculated prolific sex offender, who has preyed on unsuspecting women using cowardly methods - administering drugs to rape, sexually assault and take intimate images without consent.

“Our investigation is ongoing and we continue examine the large amount of evidence we have collected, which will help identify any further potential victim-survivors.

“We’re also asking anyone who has any information about Xu or believes they may have been a victim, to come forward – you will be listened to. I want to reassure anyone impacted that you are not alone and can seek specialist support and guidance, not only from the police, but also from independent charities and services.”

Suzanne Crane, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said:

“Chao Xu deliberately drugged women to render them unconscious and vulnerable, enabling him to rape and sexually assault them without their knowledge.

“Xu is a serious danger to women, and the scale of his offending is such that without the brave testimony of victims, who came forward after realising what had happened to them, may well have continued undetected.

“From the outset, we worked closely with the police to build a strong case. The evidence included disturbing images and videos recovered from Xu’s phone, hidden cameras, and substances commonly used to spike drinks found at his home. This overwhelming evidence led to his guilty pleas today.

“We are determined to seek justice for all victims and will continue to work closely with the police to review any further evidence as their investigation continues.”

Officers arrested Xu on suspicion of digital penetration on Sunday, 1 June, and he was charged on the 3 June with 17 counts of sexual assault relating to one victim-survivor.

On the 23 July Xu was further charged with six counts of sexual assault relating to six victim-survivors.

He has since been remanded in custody. Following his conviction, he remains remanded in custody ahead of sentencing at the same court on Friday, 14 November.

Xu is originally from China and is believed to have lived in the UK since 2013.

How to contact the police and independent support agencies:

Reports relating to Chao Xu can be made online via the Major Incident Public Portal, so it is as accessible as possible for potential victims and survivors.

English - https://mipp.police.uk/operation/01MPS25Y21-PO1

Mandarin - https://mipp.police.uk/operation/01MPS25Y21-PO2

Cantonese - https://mipp.police.uk/operation/01MPS25Y21-PO3

If you wish to speak to Met detectives or make a report relating to Xu, you can also contact police via email on operation.kafka@met.police.uk or on 02071753802.

You can also make a report to police by calling 101 from within the UK, quoting reference 01/7563135/25.

If you live in England or Wales and have been affected by this case and would like to seek support from specialist agencies, please contact the independent charity Rape Crisis via their 24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line or call them on 0808 500 2222. Specially trained staff are there to listen, answer questions and offer emotional support.